Living comfortably

I am a retiree with a new career as a home sustainability assessor. I have moved too many times from homes I enjoyed, and some I didn’t, to reside where the sea meets the bush. “Living comfortably’ is my passion and my new mantra.

Orientation

Our house was built in the 1930s. When faced with demolition in the 1960s a previous owner saved the embodied energy built into the house and moved it some 100km to its current location. The same owner had the presence of mind to orient it on the block for the best solar benefit.

Insulation

Our little cottage slowly fell into disrepair. From a sustainability point of view we had a blank canvass to work with when we purchased the property. The first thing we did was install insulation in the ceiling. Subsequently, as the house was renovated, the walls have been insulated as well. Now the suspended timber flooring is being insulated.

Lights

Like many renovators we mistakenly installed halogen down lights. We have replaced these with direct wired compact fluorescent lights and re-insulated the ceiling where necessary. We have retrofitted draught protectors over 2 ceiling fans in the ceiling.

Heating

We live in an area without access to natural gas so our heating options were limited to electricity or firewood. We elected to install 2 reverse cycle inverter style air conditioners. Our house is zoned so only one is used most of the winter for heating. In the 'closed' part of the house we have installed a solar fresh air collector. This effectively removes the winter dampness because the solar collector dehumidifies the air before it is pumped into the house with a solar electric pump. In summer there is usually no need to use the air-conditioners. We sometimes revert to using a portable fan for relief from heat waves.

Windows

The windows were single glazed. In half I have retrofitted acrylic sheets to provide the effects of double glazing. In the remaining double hung windows our plan is to have fitted a solar film. Close fitting blinds have been installed inside the window frame. In summer each window is protected from direct sunlight by a verandah, a shade cloth, or vegetation. The doorways, and windows, have all been fitted with draught stoppers where necessary.

Taps

Our taps have been replaced with modern ceramic stoppered flow restricted taps. Our showers are water restricted triple rated.

Washing

We have replaced our washing machine with a front loader with better water and energy efficiency. Our clothes are dried outdoors and topped off when necessary indoors.

Refrigeration

We have 2 modern efficient refrigerators. Our main fridge is just big enough for day to day living. The second fridge is only switched on when necessary. Both are set at the recommended temperatures.

Water

We have a solar storage hot water system. To improve its efficiency we use most hot water in the mornings therefore allowing sunshine to heat the bulk of the water during the daylight hours. This means for about 6 months of the year there is little need for the electric boost at night. In preference to tanks we have fitted water saving diverters to the downpipes.

Electricity

I have installed an energy efficiency meter to help moderate my cost of electricity. The meter records the green house gasses produced, the kilowatts used, and the cost of electricity used on 6, 12 or 18 second recording delay. It reminds me when unused appliances are left switched on.

Look for orientation first. No point in buying a home that has existing trouble with poor orientation. The bulk of the living areas should face north. And west facing windows create hot boxes in the summertime.